HVAC FAQ

Furnace

Set the thermostat at an acceptable temperature (68-75 degrees), put it in Heat mode, wait 5 minutes for the heat check circuit breaker on the Panel Box. If your furnace has an ON/OFF light switch, make sure it is in the ON position. Check your air filter and make sure it is clean. If this does not work contact us for further service instruction.

Standard, 1-inch Thick Fiberglass Filters – should be changed every 1-3 months.Higher-Efficiency, 4-5 inch Thick Filters – should be changed every 6-12 months. Note: If pets or children are present Filters should be replaced more often if pets or children are present, since they generate more airborne particles. For more information on filter types, efficiency ratings, and the best and most optimal air filter systems for your home, contact us. We can order custom, signed air filters.

Boiler

Generally speaking, a furnace uses hot air to heat a building; a heating boiler uses hot water to heat a building. They are completely different due their ways of distributing heat, controls, and equipment are mostly different.

The choice of heating system type involves choices of heat distribution (such as by hot water or steam (boilers), or by air (furnaces), or by using electric heat), or by more hybrid methods such as hot water or electric radiant heat in floors or ceilings, or other approaches. There is no single right answer or best approach since we need to match the type of heat distribution, heat production, heat fuel to climate, construction, site conditions, fuel availability and other factors.

Heat Pump

An all-electric home is commonly heated and cooled by a heat pump. During the winter, it works by the following three steps: 1. First, it extracts heat from the outdoor air and transfers it to an indoor coil. 2. Next, the indoor coil forces the air through the coil by the fan in the furnace and warms the building’s air. 3. When the air’s temperature drops below a certain preset amount (20-30 degrees), the thermostat shuts down the heat pump and the furnace or electrical elements takes over. This process is reversed during the summer and the heat pump acts like an air conditioner to cool your home.

The heat pump system may be malfunctioning if: > your outside heat pump unit is running and the temperature is 3 degrees or more below the temperatures set point you have selected on your thermostat. > your back-up heat source (electric elements, gas, or oil furnace) is running rather than your heat pump during winter days that have mild (above 40 degree) temperatures.Listen for abnormal sounds from the indoor air handler unit or outdoor unit that are signs of problems and also if your electric bill have increased from one month to the rest. The heat pump system should be shut down and a professional contacted ASAP.

Some of the key indicators in choosing to repair or replace your existing heat pump system include: Repair cost estimate, The need could be a factor, The age and condition of the existing heat pump. Contact us to get professional advice for your unique situation. Air Authority offers a free second opinion. We are just a phone call away.

Your control system and/or heat pump may be malfunctioning if your back-up heat source (gas, oil, or electric furnace) is running rather than your heat pump during the warmer (above freezing temperature) winter days. Also, if your outside (heat pump) unit is running and the temperature is 3 degrees or more below the temperatures set point you have selected on your thermostat, you may have a system malfunction higher than normal electric bills.

Air Conditioning

It may be time to have your system checked out if you notice any smells, sounds or dust coming from the unit. Uneven home temperatures or unusually high energy bills are also signs it’s time to call in a professional. It’s a good idea to call as soon you notice an issue so that a small problem doesn’t have time to turn into a big one. Besides, when you notice these issues, you will want to have your system serviced at least once a year for a simple tune-up.

It should be serviced twice a year – beginning of summer and winter. This will not only keep your system running at peak performance, but it will extend its lifespan in the long run.

You should change your air conditioner’s filter every 2-3 months, but this will vary based on your equipment; the type of filter; and other factors like pets and the number of people occupying the space. Keeping a clean filter can improve your home’s air quality and bring down the cost of electricity bills.

Mini Split Air Conditioning

  • Energy Savings – Far more power is consumed by a traditional than a ductless mini split model to heat up the same cubic feet of air inside a room.
  • Quietness – Since a traditional air conditioner has the compressor installed inside the unit, it causes excessive noise in the room where it is installed. A mini split air conditioner does not have this issue, thus is much quieter.
  • Less Risk – Boring a three inch hole in the wall is sufficient for a mini split air conditioner and prevents damage to your window caused by a traditional air conditioning unit.
  • More Indoor Space – Mini split is versatile in design, which means it can be placed anywhere inside your home or business. Its compressor unit can be set up as far away as 100 feet from the main unit.

A mini split should be serviced just the same as a traditional air conditioner. Proper care and routine cleaning of the condensing unit will allow you to enjoy years of uninterrupted service. If it breaks down, do not attempt to disassemble it on your own. It can lead to electric shock that might damage the unit beyond repair. Get in touch with our team for the right solution.

Air Filtration

The main purposes of an HVAC system are to provide thermal comfort and help maintain high-quality indoor air through adequate ventilation with filtration. Longevity and efficiency of your HVAC system can be increased by good care and proper air filtration of your HVAC system. It will also provide better conditions and air quality for occupants of the building.

Placement of air filters within an HVAC system can block airborne particles, depending on the Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV) of your air filters. It is recommended that you use air filters with a MERV Rating between 8 and 13. More contaminants will be blocked and will result in better protection of the equipment and building occupants.

Humidifier

A furnace-mounted humidifier introduces moisture from water and evaporates it into a warm air stream coming from the furnace. More Indoor Space – Mini split is versatile in design, which means it can be placed anywhere inside your home or business. Its compressor unit can be set up as far away as 100 feet from the main unit.

Although they work under the same principles, there are two types of humidifiers: 1. Flow-Through – the water flows through the humidifier and drains out. 2. Reservoir – it uses a reservoir of water and a rotating drum to introduce the moisture necessary for humidified air.

De-Humidifier

A de-humidifier is designed to remove humidity (moisture) from the air and is a necessary element in preventing growth of mold.

There are a variety of sizes of de-humidifiers and they have different removal capacities. There are even some models that have upgraded features that make setup and use easy. The hardest part may simply be choosing the right de-humidifier for you, but we can help if you’re having trouble.

Electronic Air Cleaner (EAC)

An EAC improves the indoor air quality as well as the performance of your system. Many people are now investing in EACs to treat the air in their homes and minimize pollutants. Other filter systems will not easily stop bacteria, mold spores, smoke and carinogenic particles, but these are removed effectively by the polarization technology of the EAC.

The pre-filter traps most of the larger particles when air goes through an EAC. The small particles that are not trapped in the pre-filter are then trapped by it charging them positive then pulled by negatively-charged plates. When installed into your HVAC system, an EAC traps and filters up to 99 percent of airborne particles!

An EAC is easier to maintain as it can be washed by hand using soap and water. Additionally, the components can conveniently be cleaned in your dishwasher. Electronic air cleaners only require cleaning twice a year.

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